The April '07 comics, Part 1 [Spoilers]

Justice Society of America #5, Mighty Avengers #2, She-Hulk #17

Justice Society of America #5

Decent despite being a crossover, although my usual complaint about crossovers--less face time with the characters you buy the book for in the first place--still holds to some degree.

But the truly awesome thing here is the return of the real Legion of Superheroes! Hyperbole aside, and no offense to fans of the current version of the LSH, but this is the version of the Legion that has that nostalgia equity for me. I grew up reading them. I miss them. None of the subsequent groups have ever gotten that sort of hold on me. In any case, I'm sure that a book featuring the older Legion is too much to hope for, but it's just nice seeing their return to some sort of continuity.


Mighty Avengers #2

Okay, the thought balloons. You know, I don't think I ever noticed that comics had stopped using them until I read about it on the internet. And I probably wouldn't have noticed their presence in Mighty Avengers if someone hadn't mentioned that. So obviously the lack or presence of thoughts balloons isn't something that has much effect on my enjoyment of the medium.

The story is all right. The art is pretty. I'm not certain yet if I like the portrayal of the Wasp, particularly her relationship with Hank at this point (refusing his calls seems pretty unlike her, unless he's done something recently that I'm not aware of). But then I was reading Avengers back when The Slap happened and after, and I thought I remembered there being exonerating circumstances (probably several conflicting versions over the years). And I don't find it unbelievable that Jan would vacillate some regarding her feelings for Hank, but I don't like the backsliding.

Also, not enough Mole Man, but what's there seems to be in character.


She-Hulk #17

I occasionally find the art distracting on this title--I'm not a big fan of the cartoony look, but I like it well enough as long as everyone is in proportion. Sometimes that isn't the case here. But the faces are expressive, and I kind of liked the look Tony was sporting in this book--reminded me of old 70s playboy Tony!

The story, OTOH, is almost always good. I'm even interested in the subplot involving Mallory Book trying to regain her criminal client base! (And, although it's surely still shallow, at least this development explains her post-Starfox reaction to Andy as more than what it seemed to be--the relationship affected her career, and that's her life. Mallory may not be a nice person, but I'm sure that the "OMG!!" factor alone would have passed for her eventually; however, the ridicule she perceives and its effect on her wallet has not.

I liked the interchange between Jen and Tony after their "debriefing," and wish they hadn't been interrupted because now I want to know what Tony thinks about the double standard. (My guess is that since it works in his favor, he may not have given it a lot of thought.)